EASTON, Pa. -
For the first time in program history, the Maroon and White game was played under the lights of Fisher Stadium. The offense (wearing white) posted a 31-24 win over the defense (maroon) using a modified scoring system that awarded points for first downs and scoring plays for the offense, and stops and turnovers for the defense. Lafayette ran approximately 70 plays in a controlled scrimmage format on a unseasonable warm night in April.

"It was a great atmosphere. Our kids had fun and nobody got hurt, and that's what is important coming out of the spring season," said 10th year Lafayette head coach Frank Tavani. "As an aside to football, we're all proud of how hard our kids worked on the bone marrow registry. We registered 266 people tonight, and we're happy to be part of that national effort."

Junior DT Michael Phillips started off the night by singing the national anthem before later taking over a spot on defensive tackle later in the game.

"Rob has separated himself in the quarterback situation as you would expect a senior to do because of his experience. He will be coming into camp as the starter," Tavani said. "Right now, O'Neil and Quilling are neck and neck to back up Curley."

The defense held serve on the first series, but a 75-yard touchdown completion gave the offense a 7-2 lead. Curley's ball was slightly underthrown and was tipped by Spencer Brown and Eric McGovern before sophomore wide receiver Greg Stripe was able to run under it for a 75-yard touchdown.

The Maroon defense forced a Tyrell Coon fumble on the next series which pulled the Maroon within one point, 7-6.

Sophomore Ryan O'Neil started the fourth series at quarterback and his first pass was intercepted by Doug Borchert after tight end Kevin Doty juggled it in the flat. The Maroon defense led 12-7.

Junior PK Davis Rodriguez was in mid-season form, capping a drive that included a 16-yard completion from O'Neil to Doty with a 37-yard field goal.
The Maroon (defense) led 16-15 at half when the squad broke ranks for about 15 minutes for an intermission.

In the second half, Rudolph punched in a two-yard run for the white team to lead 25-18. Rodriguez's 41-yard field goal made it 30-20 and was the final traditional scoring play of the scrimmage that ended in a 31-24 decision.

"Overall, I liked our team speed on both sides of the ball," Tavani said. "Right now we have a lot of competition for playing time at nearly every position and that's a good thing for when we get to camp."

The Leopards will open their 2009 season at Georgetown on Sept. 12. The team's home opener comes one week later (Sept. 19) when Lafayette hosts Liberty at 6 p.m. The 145th meeting of college football's most-played rivalry is Nov. 21 in Bethlehem, Pa.

Lafayette Athletics, as a partner in the mission of the College, provides and incredibly effective
learning experience for student-athletes through competitive NCAA Division I
athletics. Lafayette sponsors 23 varsity sports with more than 600 student-athletes.